Jannik Sinner extends Masters streak to 18 with victory in Monte Carlo opener

Fresh from his titles in Indian Wells and Miami, where he went back-to-back without dropping a set, the 24-year-old Italian carried that momentum into the opening clay-court event of the season.

While he has excelled on hard courts, Sinner is still chasing a first major title on clay. He came close last year, holding a two-set lead and three championship points before losing a five-set French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Facing Frenchman Humbert, Sinner secured a break in the fifth game, then held to love to move 4-2 ahead. Although Humbert saved a double break point, he was broken again as Sinner claimed the opening set 6-3.

The second set was entirely one-sided, with Sinner not dropping a game as he wrapped it up 6-0 in just 23 minutes.

He will now face Argentinaâ™s Francisco Cerundolo in the next round.

"It was a good performance from my side," Sinner said after the match.

"You have to change your game style a little bit, how you approach certain situations.

"I come here with good feelings but, at the same time, not many expectations."

Sinner is in contention to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from defending champion Alcaraz, who also advanced on Tuesday with a regulation 6-1 6-3 victory over Sebastian Baez of Argentina.

Elsewhere, Italian 15th seed Luciano Darderi retired in the third set of his match against Hubert Hurkacz, with the Polish player winning 7-5 (7/4), 5-7, 6-1.

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